Since at least May, the plan has been for Volvo to sell the V60 diesel plug-in hybrid before the calendar flips to show 2013. Today, the Swedish automaker announced that the first 1,000 units, all model year 2013 vehicles, have been purchased, and "the order books for next year's cars are already filling up." And the PHEV hasn't even hit showrooms yet. Volvo says it expects to make (and presumably sell) 5,000 V60 PHEVs "as of model year 2014."

The first 1,000 V60 PHEVs are all part of a "Pure Limited" edition, which has Electric Silver livery, "aero-designed" 17-inch wheels and integrated exhaust tailpipes. When Volvo introduced the V60 PHEV last year, it said the wagon uses a five-cylinder 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine that offers 215 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that powers the front wheels. The electric side of the powertrain uses a 11.2-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 70-hp electric motor on the back wheels. The V60 PHEV can go up to 32 miles on battery power. Earlier this year, reports said the V60 PHEV would cost around the equivalent of $81,000 U.S., and we might even get it in the U.S., if the Europeans don't buy them all first.

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More news from Volvo Car Corporation at the 2012 Paris Motor Show:
First batch of V60 Plug-in Hybrid sold out - and rapid renewal of the model range in 2013

On top of launching the all-new V40 Cross Country and V40 R-Design, Volvo Car Corporation revealed more exciting news at the company's press conference at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on Thursday: the first batch of the groundbreaking Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is sold out before the car has reached the showrooms - and the order books for next year's cars are already filling up. Volvo also announced that the rapid renewal of the model lineup is continuing next year.

"2013 will be one of the most intense years in the company's history. Including the all-new V40 versions in 2012, we are renewing more or less our whole model range in less than two years," said Doug Speck, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Corporation.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid, the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid, is another important part of Volvo Car Corporation's rapid transformation - and Doug Speck is not surprised by the keen customer interest in the ingenious model. "None of our competitors can offer customers an equally ingenious car. Its uncompromising attitude to green motoring elevates hybrid technology to an entirely new level," he said.

The first 1,000 units of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid are only available in a "Pure Limited" edition with Electric Silver livery. The diesel-electric car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black.

After this initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the synthesis of close cooperation between Volvo Car Corporation and Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall. The two companies have financed the development project jointly.

Three cars in one
The driver of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is putting an end to compromise via three driving mode buttons on the dashboard: Pure, Hybrid and Power.

Fuel consumption is just 1.8 l/100 km (48 g CO2 /km) in Hybrid mode. In addition, the driver can choose to cover up to 50 kilometres on electric power with zero emissions - or release the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor to create a driving machine with 215+70 horsepower, 440+200 Nm of torque and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

"This human-centric approach is what our Designed Around You philosophy is all about. We have listened carefully to our customers and created a unique, human-centric car that combines pure driving pleasure with outstanding environmental responsibility," said Doug Speck.

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I read on GM-Volt.com that the price is $73,600 not $81k, but what is a measly $7k when you are at this price point? ;-) What I hadn't known was the 0-60 time, it isn't like I use that sort of power all the time, but it is nice to see that it is there if you want it. Which is why I have long been hoping that a Volt SS would be built after the ELR improves on the Volt performance.

Anonymous

2 Years Ago

@Ziv

0-60 time is 6.2 sec. A whole lot faster than an Volt which is not as safe, not as big inside, can't seat 5 people and is in all honestly is not the best looking thing on the road. Don't get me wrong, the Volt is a big step forward for electric cars but the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is a car that has a really good compromise that gives you the best of both worlds. In a recent real world fuel efficiency test which took in to account the cost of recharging and fueling the Volt, it was pretty much on par with the V60.

A decent family estate D5 diesel plus the comfort and economy of electric drive. Yes, I'll spend $10K extra. If I'd be choosing to afford the V60's base price in the first place. It's on the wishlist; count me in for a second-hand!

Same here, Dave. I thought the Volt would bomb. I still think it presents a low value, but people have picked it over the Leaf for sure. I made this prediction when the all-electric fervor was at an all time high. Just goes to show that what people say they want VS. what they actually buy are often two different things.

@ 2 Wheeled Menace "what people say they want VS. what they actually buy are often two different things ". Never a truer word spoken ! That's often the problem with survey and reading comments of enthusiast websites. People tend to answer what they think is the right/correct thing to say, rather than what they actually believe. To those who have actually worked in the Automotive industry, it becomes obvious that only a very small number of buyers exist for radical vehicles. Those radicals tend to be very vocal, and listening to them, distorts reality. The problem for range challenged EV's is that there is not a big enough market to justify the cost of manufacture, when most of the EV objectives can be satisfied with hybrid or EREV's. 'Value', is a very subjective concept. I would argue that the GM Volt represents very good value. The main problem for EV adoption is range. Price and other factors are secondary considerations. Range represents convenience. Which is the main reason for car ownership !